Robert G. Simerly
Hall of Fame Class of 2001
Robert G. Simerly is recognized for extending exceptional leadership to the field of continuing adult education. The University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) awarded him its highest award, The Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership in 1999.
Dr. Simerly received his doctorate from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a major in educational leadership and minors in higher education and industrial management. Prior to retiring from higher education, in 1999, he was dean of University Outreach at Florida State University, and provided the administrative leadership for an organization that served over 60,000 people each year with some 2,000 professional development programs throughout the world. He was also a tenured professor in the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education.
While at Florida State, he helped to establish a key alliance with the community college in Panama City. FSU now offers 13 master's programs that can be completed entirely at the campus in Panama City, working to the mutual benefit of both institutions in serving citizens who need enhanced access to education.
Prior to his position at Florida State University, he held leadership positions in continuing education units at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Syracuse University. Additionally, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln he was dean of the Division of Continuing Studies and professor of continuing education for nine years, and he also served for two years as associate to the chancellor for information technologies
Dr. Simerly is a widely known speaker and author in the field of professional continuing education and lifelong learning. He has written many articles and book chapters and has published five books: Budgeting for Conferences and Workshops, Strategic Planning and Leadership in Continuing Education, Handbook of Marketing for Continuing Education, Planning and Marketing Conferences and Workshops, and Strategic Financial Management for Conferences, Workshops, and Meetings.